Hanger



Dec. 27, 1932. K R. TEATS ET AL HANGER Filed July 24, 1928 g:HI MMIIIl'lawlilli.

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Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT orrica ROSCOE TEATS AND STANLEY HUGHES, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNORS TO AMERI- CAN SMEL'IING AND BEFINING GOMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY HANGER- .Application filed July 24,

This invention relates to electrolytic cells, and more particularly to a new and improved hanger for supporting a cathode element.

In depositing a metal electrolytically on a cathode which is supported from an overhead bar by means of a suitable hanger, it has frequently been found that the acid in the'electrolyte attacks the cathode underneath the hanger and weakens the upper portion thereof sufficiently to permit the hanger to be torn away from the cathode element. This is especially true when the weight of the cathode is considerably increased by the electrolytic deposit. This tendency is particularly marked with certain elements such as cadmium, since the cadmium electrolyte will attack any exposed surface on which cadmium is not being deposited.

In accordance with the present invention, a novel type of hanger is employed which covers only one side of the cadmium cathode and permits the deposit totake place on the opposite side above the point of support. The strength of the cadmium sheet above the support is thus increased simultaneously with the weight of the cadmium cathode and is maintained sufficiently great to support the increasing weight of the element.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the mode of its operation and the manner of its organization may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, in which Fig. l is an elevation of acathode plate showing the cadmium coating partly removed;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a cadmium cathode plate showing the hangers;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a hanger; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a strip of cadmium metal from which the hanger is formed.

Like referencecharacters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawing.

In the following description and in the claims parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Referring to the drawing, cathode 10 is shown as supported from cross bar 11 which is adapted to rest upon suitable members on the sides of an electrolytic tank (not shown). Non-metallic frame members 12 are inserted over the edge portions of the cathode plate lO in order to prevent the metal from depositing on those portions.

Tn carrying out the present process, a cathode formed of inert material such as aluminum is inserted in the electrolytic tank,

and current is passed for a sufficient length of time to form a comparatively thin coating 14 of the desired substance, for example, cadmium. After this coating has built up to a sufficient thickness to permit the same to be removed as a single unit, the cathode 10 is removed from the electrolytic cell and coating 14 is stripped therefrom.

The exactsize ofthe coating is immaterial provided it is sufiiciently thick-to be removed as a single unit and possesses sufiicient strength to be used for the purpose about to be described. It has been found by way of example, thata coating of some 2 or 3 lbs.

was satisfactoryqfor a cathode element of from 4 to 9 square feet in area.

The coating 14 after being removed from cathode 10 is formed into a fiat-rectangular sheet, as shown in Fig. 2, and provided with suitable hangers 15 by means of'which. it may be supported from a cross bar 18. Hangers 15 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) are preferably formed from the same metal as that of coating let and may be cast in strips as shown in Fig. 4,.the ends of which are cut diagonally. These strips maythenibe separated and bent along the dotted lines into the form shown in Fig. 3 and inserted over the top of the coating 14. Hangers 15 are thus provided with oifset points 16 and 17 which are inserted through the cadmium sheet it from opposite sides and in spaced relationship. The face of hanger 15 is likewise displaced on opposite sides of the cathode sheet whereby the portion of said sheet above points l6 and 17 is left un obstructed on one side.

Coating 14 after being hung from cross bar 18 may be used as a starting sheet and placed in an electrolytic cell for the further deposition of cadmium. This may be continued until a cathode has grown to any desired weight, such as from 30 to lbs. The cathode together with the hangers may then be removed and cast into bars for commercial uses.

As the weight of cathode 14 increases due to the deposition of cadmium thereon, the thickness of the portion of said cathode above the points 16 and 17 also increases and prevents the hanger from being torn away from the cathode.

lhe use of the above described hanger permits a thin cadmium sheet to be used as a starting element for the electrodeposition of cadmium, whereby units of any desired size and weight can be obtained. The spaced points 16 and 17 eliminate the inert portion of the sheet adjacent the hanger, which would be attacked by the acid of the electrolyte and in addition permits the cadmium to be deposited over substantially the entire surface of the starting sheet.

The invention has been particularly described as applied to the electrodeposition of cadmium but may be used to advantage with other metals with which diiiiculty is encountered in preventing the support from tearing out of the starting sheet.

While certain novel features of the invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be sheet from opposite sides and in spaced relationship whereby metal may be deposited above said points on at least one side of said sheet.

2. in combination with a cathode sheet, a hanger therefor comprising a strap of metal having a U-shape, the ends of said strap being cut diagonally to provide spaced points, said i points being extended through said sheet from opposite sides and in spaced relationship whereby said sheet is exposed to receive metal above eachof said members on at least one side of said sheet.

3. In combination with a cathode sheet, a hanger therefor comprising a metallic member extending through said sheet at a point below the level of the electrolyte and a metallic supporting strap for said member, the ends of said strap being cut diagonally to provide spaced points, said points being extended through said sheet from opposite sides and in spaced relationship whereby said sheet is exposed to said electrolyte on at least one side above the point of support sothat deposition may take place above said support for increasing the strength of the sheet above said support simultaneously with he increase in weight of said sheet below said support.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

ROSCOE TEATS. STANLEY HUGHES. 

